Mex and the City
Discover the best places to eat, drink and explore in Mexico City with an insider’s arty, party guide
Mexico City has a rich history, and its colourful traditions, food and culture have made it a standout holiday destination.
There’s evidence of people living there since 9000 BC, and the Aztecs founded the great city of
Tenochtitlan in 1325, which is now the city centre. Mexico
City, as capital of the
New Spain, was founded in 1521.
Today, it has nine million inhabitants, but, if you consider the whole Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Area, it’s 22 million.
A fertile ground for artists, Mexico City provides endless inspiration. You’ll witness this creative buzz beyond the city’s museums and galleries as you explore markets and boutiques and take in celebrations, including Day of the Dead.
The city’s eclectic culinary scene allows you to try traditional Mexican dishes, high-brow tasting menus and delicious street snacks, all in one day.
Downtown is where you’ll find a concentration of cultural offerings with hundreds of historic buildings, as well as parks and museums. Little wonder it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Here, we pick some of our favourite places to eat, drink and explore from the Art and Fiesta in Mexico City guidebook.
COFFEE Cafe Budapest Cukraszda
This adorable spot is a love letter to Hungary – and its desserts. Owned by Gabriela Biringer, it is a tribute to her Hungarian heritage, featuring pictures of her family. Classical music, a table with an antique sink and colourful plates on the exterior set the tone.
Gabriela bakes original recipes such as Black Forest cake, and her speciality, sacher torte, prepared with chocolate, nutmeg and apricot jam.
Pair it with a strong Turkish coffee or a tea from the vast selection.
Dosis Cafe
Long wooden benches and a varied, eclectic playlist set the mood at this hip coffee shop. With beans from the
coffee regions of Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca, there’s excellent cappuccinos and espressos, but its cold brew is also a winner. The hot choc is a lovely DIY treat in which you melt a block of chocolate into the hot milk. For breakfast, go for homemade sourdough bread, which is topped with avocado, eggs, or almond butter.
Aside from being a brilliant coffee shop, Dosis also functions as a cultural forum, hosting yoga lessons, meditation and music performances. ■■ dosiscafe.com
Tomas
Tomas is an easy way to delve into the world of tea. The dozens of numbered tins behind the counter shouldn’t intimidate you, as expert staff members are ready to advise.
There’s white, green, mate and oolong teas as well as specialised blends you can only find here.
Within a few minutes, you can have a totally customised tea in your hands.
The Maison de Canelle, for example, is a sweet blend of apples, almonds, cinnamon and beets that helps your cardiovascular system and tastes great as a frappe drink.
Head to one of the comfortable couches inside or pick a footpath table and watch the afternoon go by.
■■ tomas.mx
El Parnita
A classic Saturday in Roma Norte is where well-made antojitos (snacks) are served in a kitsch-cool space.
There are fresh ceviches and tacos. Some of the most popular are El Viajero (pork with avocado) and El Carmelita ( fried shrimp, lettuce and red onion).
Contramar
Mexico City might be a few hours away from the beach but a little more than 20 years ago Gabriela Camara decided to pretend it wasn’t.
By opening a seafood restaurant in Roma Norte, she offered a place to enjoy fresh fish in a laidback environment. Contramar’s popularity